Voice of the people (letter).

Revitalizing Labor

August 03, 1995|By John J. Sweeney, President, Service Employees, International Union (SEIU)--AFL-CIO.

NEW YORK — Following the resignation Monday of AFL-CIO President Lane Kirkland, the New Voice Campaign for American Workers, the insurgent slate for leadership of the AFL-CIO, is asserting its call for change.

The importance of the New Voice campaign can't be overstated. For today's workers and their families, the American dream has become a nightmare. The children of the rich and powerful look forward to a future of more while the children of American workers look forward to future filled with less.

The AFL-CIO will choose new leadership at its convention in October in New York City. I decided to run for president because I believe it's time to reinvigorate the labor movement with fresh new ideas, fresh and diverse faces and forceful advocacy.

Our slate of candidates and platform reflect the decisive action and revolutionary change needed to put labor back in a position of power. My running mates--Linda Chavez Thompson of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and Rich Trumka of the United Mine Workers--reject the notion that unions can no longer organize. We believe the AFL-CIO must conduct a revolutionary organizing campaign if we are to restore the American dream for working families.

The contest for AFL-CIO leadership is not about who heads the labor movement but about establishing a new voice for American workers.